Posts Tagged ‘computer-based interviewing skills training’

Non-verbal behavior in an interview

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Being called in to interview is one of the most exciting times of a candidate’s job search. You get a haircut, perhaps a manicure. You make certain your business wear is spotless, your appearance impeccable.

Warning yourself not to show fear, to keep your voice steady and your eyes on the interviewer, you believe you’re ready. After all, you have the talent to fill the position and you’ve researched the job responsibilities and company thoroughly.

Good for you. But there may be one aspect of the interview you’ve forgotten about – non-verbal behavior.

Hiring managers are trained to look for nuances in a candidate’s personality that will tell them far more than words ever could. Here’s some of the things you should watch out for:

1. Crossing your arms. Never cross your arms over your chest, it’s a defensive position. Even if you’re smiling and laughing with the recruiter or hiring manager, it’s off-putting. When standing, let your arms hang at your sides. When sitting, fold your hands in your lap and keep them there while the interviewer is speaking.
2. Tapping your fingers or a pen against the arm of your chair, your lap, a desk – whatever. Don’t do it. It shows impatience. Even if you can’t wait to jump in and tell the interviewer how great you are, retain a composed posture. Keep your fingers from dancing.
3. Shifting in your seat or from foot to foot. It makes you look nervous, which you probably are. If necessary, lock your knees while standing to keep yourself from moving too much. When you first seat yourself, make certain you’re as comfortable as you can be, given the circumstances, and then make a concentrated effort to stay just as you are. Excessive movement is distracting. You want the interviewer to notice your skills, not your fidgeting.
4. Darting eyes. If you’re constantly looking away while the interviewer is speaking or while you’re speaking, the other individual will come to one of two conclusions: you’re so bored you can’t keep focused or you’re trying to hide something. Now that doesn’t mean you stare down the interviewer. You can glance away at appropriate intervals. Just don’t do it too much.
5. Standing too close. It’s an aggressive stance and will put off an interviewer, especially if you’re a man and she’s a woman. Keep an appropriate, arm’s length distance.
6. A stony-expression or a smirk. Neither is attractive. If you have no expression, the interviewer might think you’re difficult to work with. Everyone wants to deal with a pleasant personality not a cipher. A smirk will make you seem arrogant. Even if you don’t agree with what the interviewer is saying or you believe you’re too good for the job, make certain your facial expression doesn’t reveal it.

There are many other non-verbal behaviors to consider. We deal with these at JIE (JobInterviewEdge) a coaching service for our clients. Our certified, expert editors bring decades of real-world experience and advanced degrees in 40+ industries to assist our global clientele.

We’re always striving to better our products. So if you have a recommendation for JIE, we’d love to hear from you.

The importance of being well prepared for an interview

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Too many candidates mistakenly believe that being called in for an interview is being guaranteed a position. Nothing could be further from the truth. You might be the last person on a short list of candidates. Your skills, knowledge, and abilities are good – but not a perfect match for the company. However, the hiring manager is interested enough to meet with you and allow you to sell yourself to the company.

How do you do that? Preparation, preparation, preparation.

1. Know how to dress. If you’re not familiar with the company culture, visit their website or their offices during work hours to see how staff dress. A warning, however: Even if they wear business casual, you should err on the conservative side during the interview – for men that means a sports jacket and tie; for women, that would mean a nice pantsuit or dress. The exception to that would be if you’re in a creative field and the employees show up in jeans and T-shirts. Then, you would dress business casual. The key is to look professional – you’re not on staff yet.

2. Do extensive research about the company. Know what they’re about. Nothing’s worse for a hiring manager than to interview someone who hasn’t a clue what their company produces.

3. Compose a list of questions about the company that indicate your interest in what is produced and how things work.

4. Prepare a list of answers to the most frequently asked interview questions. For example: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

5. Practice, practice, practice. Make certain your voice and body language don’t give away your anxiety.

6. Know how long it will take to get to your interview so you arrive on time.

There are many, many more details that go into being interview ready. With our new service offering JobInterviewEdge, a certified career coach details the obstacles faced and how you can overcome them. These experts will help you prepare for the first step to your next great job – the all important first interview.

Details of the service will be provided in coming weeks. We want to hear from you as to what you’d most like to see in the service so that we can incorporate even more helpful information into it.

Introducing JobInterviewEdge

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Today I’d like to introduce a new service that will be implemented shortly at ResumeEdge.com. Our mission has always been to assist jobseekers in whatever way possible, so they attain their dream jobs. To that end, we will be adding JobInterviewEdge.

What is JobInterviewEdge?

It’s a job interview coaching service that will prepare you for the daunting job interview process by providing computer-based interviewing skills training and a personalized mock interview with a certified interview professional.

Personal coaching will be conducted by our editors who have been awarded CEIP (Certified Employment Interview Professional) certification through the PARW/CC (Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches) and those who have reached certification through ResumeEdge.com. The standards are high, the training intense. Each certified editor is an expert in interview counseling and will shepherd their clients through the arduous interview process.

The Personal Coaching element will include:

1. Job Interview Preparation Sheet to provide your coach with information to prepare your mock job interview

2. Consultation with your coach to review your job interview preparation sheet

3. “Mock” job interview by telephone with your certified coach

4. Immediate Telephone Critique of the mock job interview with your coach

5. Formal Written Critique of your mock interview delivered within 24 hours

Each mock interview is recorded, providing you with an opportunity to play it back and review it at a later date.

In upcoming blogs, I will detail the service offerings and the intricacies of an interview.

To make this service truly valuable, we want to hear your thoughts on what else you’d like to see and how we can improve on what’s provided.